The Most Dangerous Animals for Runners

We reached out to our fellow runners to find out what animals they were most afraid of. Most of the answers we received were expected, but there were a few surprises mixed in too. Keep an eye out for these dangerous animals on your next run – and stay safe!

Canada Geese

Canada geese aren’t exactly what you’d call a “deadly animal,” but they’re plenty vicious if you get between them and their goslings. They’ll hiss, flap their wings, and sometimes even bite. So, if you find a goose on your running path, give it a wide berth.

Raccoons

They may look cute and cuddly, but raccoons can be a serious threat when infected with rabies. Stories about raccoons attacking runners are all too common. We’ve reported raccoon attacks from Oklahoma and Seattle recently here on RunnersWorld.com.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitos can range from being a nuisance to a legitimate health threat depending on the viruses that they're carrying. We've all gotten bug bites while running – hopefully not as bad as the horror stories we quoted here – but they're generally just a minor annoyance, the itchiness disappearing after a couple days. However, with incidents of West Nile virus on the rise, mosquito bites can be much more dangerous. To reduce your risk, apply bug repellent before heading out on your run. Also, avoid running between dusk and dawn if you can, since that's when the mosquitoes carrying West Nile are most likely to bite, according to the CDC.

Dogs

Most dogs pose little or no threat to runners. But, the bad ones out there – the unsupervised, aggressive, and untrained dogs – can be a very serious problem. Last October, we ran a lengthy story titled "When Dogs Attack" that told of a Southern California family that was brutally attacked while on a run. This wasn't an isolated incident; stories of runners being attacked by dogs frequently appear in the news. Take time to read these tips on what to do if you're attacked by a dog on the run.

Squirrels

Squirrels, a dangerous animal? Really? We were surprised readers raised this one, but more than one runner complained about these critters getting in the way when they were doing speedwork, causing dangerous last-minute changes to foot strike. Rolling your ankle to avoid a squirrel is not only painful, but also embarrassing, so be extra careful out there.

Snakes

If you see a snake on the road or trail you’re running on, the best thing to do is simply change your course a bit and give it as much space as possible. According to an article we published on snake safety for runners, "Snakes likely try to defend themselves if they're cornered or harassed." So, don’t corner or harass the snake. Leave it alone and it will leave you alone.

An ultrarunner in Colorado was bitten by rattlesnake twice while out on a training run and then came back to run a hundred mile race just nine weeks later. Read her remarkable story.

Mountain Lions

Because of their limited range, mountain lions are not a threat for most of our readers. But, those of you out west, keep your eyes and ears open, especially when running on trails. If you do come across a mountain lion, you should try to make yourself look as big as possible and talk to the animal in a calm, firm voice so it realizes that you’re not a deer. For more tips on dealing with mountain lions, read our article "Animal Encounters."

Bees

For most people, a bee sting is painful, but not necessarily dangerous. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 3 percent of the population suffers a severe allergic reaction from bee stings. Known as anaphylaxis, this reaction can be very serious, even deadly. And, even if you’re not allergic, being stung repeatedly can result in an accumulation of venom strong enough to make you quite sick.

Alligators

Most of our readers are safe from alligators merely by living far away from them. But, those of you down south, keep an eye out, especially when you’re running near water. Alligators only live in freshwater, but can be found in saltwater during times of drought. If you’d like a completely useless (but very funny) guide to "Tripping over Reptiles," check out Remy’s World. And, if you live in gator country, you should read these (more helpful) alligator safety tips from the Sun Sentinel. The key thing to remember is to run away from a gator in a straight line and as fast as you can. They are speedy over short distances but will tire quickly and stop chasing.

Deer

Most of the time, deer are timid and will run away when they spot humans. But, on occasion, they can be quite aggressive. Some of the stories are bizarre, such as the one about a deer chasing down a cross country runner from Oregon only to lick his ear. But others are much more serious. An Idaho woman out for a morning run was attacked by a deer and suffered several puncture wounds from the buck’s antlers. As with the other animals on this list, if you see a deer, give it space even if it means changing your route a bit.

Skunks

Runners’ paths often cross with those of skunks. Generally, this isn’t a problem, but if the skunk feels threatened, he can spray you and leave you smelling terrible. To avoid that, the best trick is to simply run away. The skunks do a little “dance” before they spray, so you’ll have a bit of warning to get out of danger. If you do get skunked, Animal Planet recommends that you skip the tomato juice bath, which doesn’t actually help. Instead, mix up a peroxide bath and lather yourself up with it. “Mix one quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, one teaspoon mild dishwashing detergent, and 1/4 cup baking soda in a bucket. Lather, rinse, repeat.”

Sharks

You didn’t think we’d actually compile an entire list of dangerous animals and leave out sharks, did you? Although shark territory doesn’t traditionally intersect with runner territory, runners would definitely be in danger in the event of a Sharknado. You can never be too careful, right?

Have you had a running encounter with any of these dangerous animals? Or maybe there’s an animal we left out that should be included? Join the discussion with other runners in our forums and tell us your story.